June, 2026
Photos by Mak Harrison, Summer Fellow 2026
Each summer, Ox-Bow’s campus opens to the public for Friday Night Open Studios, a longstanding tradition and a favorite among returning guests, students, and first-time visitors. These free events invite the public to explore our historic facilities and grounds, and engage directly with artists and the rhythms of campus life. Friday Night Open Studios has existed in its current format for at least 30 years, building on a much longer history of welcoming guests to Ox-Bow for events and studio visits.
We kicked off the 2026 series on Friday, June 12 this summer with gorgeous weather, delicious cocktails, and a French-themed auction. Mon dieu!
A Community Gathering
These evenings bring together local residents, seasonal visitors, artists, collectors, and families; many of whom return year after year. Friday Night Open Studios are one of the only free, campus-wide opportunities to experience Ox-Bow, making it a vital point of connection between our organization and the broader West Michigan community and beyond.
Artists from across the country and around the world come to Ox-Bow each summer, bringing with them diverse practices and perspectives. During our Friday Night Open Studios, that global exchange becomes visible and accessible, and visitors are welcomed to join in.
Moments of Process and Play
Guests find their own ways to move through the evening. During this first event, a live glassblowing demo gathered a crowd eager to witness a process that can feel both mesmerizing and elusive. In other sessions, ceramics, painting, or interdisciplinary practices will be demonstrated, each offering a glimpse into the material and technical possibilities explored at Ox-Bow.
Across the campus, children play on the Warnock Meadow, visitors gather by the dock or form small groups around the fire pit. These casual, unscripted, and communal moments reflect the rhythm of Ox-Bow at its core.
Inside the Studios
Some of the most intimate moments of the evening occur in the studios. Visitors are free to move through most workspaces, sometimes encountering artists mid-process. Faculty and students from the current session are present in the studios throughout the evening, and conversations happen naturally, as they often do at Ox-Bow. For many guests, it’s a rare chance to engage directly with artists about their work. For students, residents and fellows, it’s an opportunity to articulate their practice to a broader audience.
The Clothesline Sale and Live Auction
The historic clothesline sale features artwork, art supplies, clothing, and gifts created by students, faculty, and local artists. Nearby, a cash bar offers seasonal cocktails, beer, wine, and snacks.
The live auction is one of the most anticipated moments of the evening, offering both emerging and seasoned collectors the chance to view, bid on, and acquire original work made by students, faculty, staff, and visiting artists each summer at Ox-Bow.
For faculty, the auction can be especially meaningful; an opportunity to support students at the close of a shared session of making and learning. At the most recent auction, a student contributed a handblown glass work in recognition of the scholarship that made their own participation possible, continuing a cycle of support that sustains the program.
The auction also carries its own traditions. When bidding crosses the $100 mark, Ox-Bow staff begin to dance; a long-standing, joyful ritual that brings energy and laughter to the crowd, and captures the spirit of the night.
Support and Sustainability
While the event is free to attend, the evening plays an important role in sustaining Ox-Bow’s programs. Proceeds from the auction, cash bar, merchandise sales, and donations directly support scholarships, residencies, and educational offerings. We’re thankful to our 2026 beverage sponsors; New Holland Distilling Co. serves as the official cocktail sponsor for the series, with Saugatuck Brewing Company returning as our season beer sponsor.
Plan Your Visit
This summer’s upcoming Friday Night Open Studios take place on June 26, July 24, August 7, and August 21, 2026 from 7:00–10:00 p.m. ET. Registration is not required, and parking is available on campus but is limited.
Whether you come to see the work, meet the artists, bid in the auction, or simply spend an evening on campus, Friday Night Open Studios offers a unique window into life and creativity at Ox-Bow. We hope to see you on the Meadow soon!